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Kane County, IL Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Open dumping ban
415 ILCS 5/21(a)
Litter ban
415 ILCS 105/4
Waste tires
415 ILCS 5/55
County nuisance
Kane County Code § 15-2(1)(c)
Penalty
Misdemeanor; felony for volume

Summary

Open dumping of any waste is prohibited statewide under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/21), and dumping litter on public or private property is banned by the Litter Control Act (415 ILCS 105/4). Kane County Code also declares depositing junk, trash or refuse a nuisance.

City-specific rules exist: Aurora, and Elgin have their own illegal dumping rules that differ from Kane County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Sec. 21. Prohibited acts. No person shall: (a) Cause or allow the open dumping of any waste. (b) Abandon, dump, or deposit any waste upon the public highways or other public property, except in a sanitary landfill approved by the Agency...

Full Breakdown

Illinois law bans illegal dumping. 415 ILCS 5/21(a) states 'No person shall: (a) Cause or allow the open dumping of any waste,' and § 21(p) makes open dumping resulting in litter, scavenging, open burning or construction debris a violation. The Litter Control Act, 415 ILCS 105/4, bars dumping, depositing, dropping, throwing, discarding or leaving litter on any public or private property. Waste tires are separately covered by 415 ILCS 5/55. Locally, Kane County Code § 15-2(1)(c) declares it a nuisance to deposit garbage, junk, trash or refuse on public or private property in unincorporated areas.

Violations & Fines

Knowing open dumping under 415 ILCS 5/21 is a Class A misdemeanor with community-service exposure; large-volume dumping can be a Class 4 felony. County nuisance fines up to $500/day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is illegal dumping a crime in Illinois?
Yes. Open dumping of any waste violates 415 ILCS 5/21(a) and knowing violations are Class A misdemeanors; dumping over 250 cubic feet can be a Class 4 felony. Dumping litter also violates 415 ILCS 105/4.
Who enforces dumping in unincorporated Kane County?
The Illinois EPA, the county sheriff, and local law enforcement enforce state open-dumping law. Kane County Code § 15-2(1)(c) also treats deposited junk, trash or refuse as an abatable nuisance.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kane County

All Kane County rules

Compare Kane County to another location·View the Illinois trash & recycling overview

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Illegal Dumping in Cities Across Kane County